Electric vehicle docking station with embedded evse controller

ABSTRACT

A portable electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) kit or system includes a docking connector having a docking head engagable with the charging port of an electric vehicle and a barrel or handle fixed to the docking head and having a barrel electrical connector. An EVSE controller is embedded within the docking connector. An electric power cable has a first connector for engaging the barrel electrical connector and a second connector at an opposite end of the cable for connection to an electrical utility receptacle. The embedded EVSE controller enables the docking connector to function as an EVSE unit.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/980,854, filed Oct. 4, 2013, by Hayashigawa et al., entitled ELECTRICVEHICLE DOCKING CONNECTOR WITH EMBEDDED EVSE CONTROLLER, which is a 371National filing of PCT/US2012/021751 filed Jan. 18, 2012 entitledELECTRIC VEHICLE DOCKING CONNECTOR WITH EMBEDDED EVSE CONTROLLER, byHayashigawa et al., which claims priority of U.S. ProvisionalApplication Ser. No. 61/434,282 filed Jan. 19, 2011 entitled LEVEL 1-2PORTABLE EV CHARGER CABLE, by David Paul Soden, et al.; U.S. ProvisionalApplication Ser. No. 61/437,001 filed Jan. 27, 2011 entitled PORTABLEELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING CABLE WITH IN-LINE CONTROLLER, by David PaulSoden, et al.; U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/467,068 filedMar. 24, 2011 entitled PORTABLE CHARGING CABLE WITH IN-LINE CONTROLLER,by David Paul Soden, et al.; PCT Application Serial No.PCT/US2011/031843 filed Apr. 8, 2011 entitled PORTABLE CHARGING CABLEWITH IN-LINE CONTROLLER, by David Paul Soden, et al.; U.S. ProvisionalApplication Ser. No. 61/550,849 filed Oct. 24, 2011 entitled ELECTRICVEHICLE DOCKING CONNECTOR WITH EMBEDDED IN-LINE CONTROLLER, by DavidPaul Soden, et al; and U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/567,018filed Dec. 5, 2011 entitled ELECTRIC VEHICLE DOCKING CONNECTOR WITHEMBEDDED EVSE CONTROLLER, by Larry Hayashigawa, et al. All of the aboveapplications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention concerns electrical supply equipment such as chargingdevices for electric vehicles.

BACKGROUND

Electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) for residential charging of anelectric vehicle (EV) is implemented at present as stationary unitsconnected to the electric utility grid through a household electricutility panel, and are not readily portable. The possibility of a lossof battery power when the EV is far from a commercial recharging stationor personal home charging equipment is a problem that has not beensolved.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) kit is provided for chargingan electric vehicle through a charging port of the electric vehicle. TheEVSE kit includes a docking connector with an EVSE controller embeddedinside the docking connector, and a power cable for connecting thedocking connector to an AC power outlet.

The docking connector comprises a head having a head end engagable withthe charging port of the electric vehicle, and a barrel having one endjoined with said head, and a barrel electrical connector on an oppositeend of said barrel, said docking connector further comprising a firstplurality of conductors extending into said barrel from said barrelelectrical connector and a second plurality of conductors extending intosaid head from said head end. The embedded EVSE controller inside thedocking connector is connected between the first and second pluralitiesof conductors. The power cable included with the kit has a pair of cableends, and a first cable connector at one of said cable ends, said firstcable connector being engagable with said barrel electrical connector,and a second cable connector at the other one of the cable ends, thesecond cable connector being engagable with an AC electrical poweroutlet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that the manner in which the exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention are attained and can be understood in detail, a moreparticular description of the invention, briefly summarized above, maybe had by reference to the embodiments thereof which are illustrated inthe appended drawings. It is to be appreciated that certain well knownprocesses are not discussed herein in order to not obscure theinvention.

FIG. 1 illustrates an EVSE kit including an electric vehicle dockingconnector disconnectable from an electric power cable, the dockingconnector containing an embedded EVSE controller, enabling the dockingconnector to function as an EVSE unit.

FIG. 2 illustrates a modification of the EVSE kit of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 depicts the EVSE kit of FIG. 1 or FIG. 2 connected between anelectric vehicle and an AC power outlet.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram corresponding to FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram corresponding to FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of the EVSE kit in which the powercable and the docking connector with the embedded EVSE controller arepermanently connected together through a flexible strain relief.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram corresponding to FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a simplified block diagram of the connections through thedocking connector between the embedded EVSE controller and elementswithin the electric vehicle.

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram depicting a method performed in the embodimentof FIG. 1 for automatically adjusting to different utility supplyvoltages.

FIG. 10 is a simplified block diagram depicting an embodiment in whichthe portable cable facilitates file uploading from an external computerthrough a special interface tool.

FIG. 11 is an orthographic view of a robust handheld embodiment of thespecial interface tool of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a simplified schematic block diagram of the special interfacetool of FIG. 11.

FIGS. 13A and 13B together constitute a flow diagram depicting methodsof operation in the embodiment of FIG. 10.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram depicting the contents of a memory used inthe method of FIGS. 13A and 13B.

FIG. 15 is a flow diagram depicting methods of operating the embodimentof FIG. 1 for prevention of overheating during EV charging.

FIG. 16 depicts an embodiment of the EVSE kit including the dockingconnector with the embedded EVSE controller, in which proximity sensingbetween mating connectors is provided.

FIGS. 17A through 17C illustrate provision of mechanical barriers in theform of external posts and matching holes in opposing surfaces of theplug and outlet in the EVSE kit of FIG. 1, FIG. 2 or FIG. 6.

FIGS. 18A and 18B are side views depicting disengagement and engagement,respectively, of the plug and outlet of any one of FIGS. 17A-17C.

FIGS. 19A and 19B correspond to FIGS. 18A and 18B, and showing inaddition of a flexible insulating skirt around the plug.

FIGS. 20 and 21 depict embodiments corresponding to FIGS. 17A through17C with proximity sensing features including in-post sensors andexciters and in-hole sensors and exciters.

FIGS. 22 and 23 are schematic diagrams of respective embodiments of theEVSE kit incorporating the in-post and in-hole proximity sensingfeatures of FIGS. 20 and 21.

FIGS. 24A and 24B depict a first embodiment of an electrical in-post andin-hole proximity-sensing sensor and exciter pair as unengaged (FIG.24A) and fully engaged (FIG. 24B).

FIGS. 25A and 25B depict a second embodiment of an electrical in-postand in-hole proximity-sensing sensor and exciter pair as unengaged (FIG.25A) and fully engaged (FIG. 25B).

FIGS. 26A and 26B depict a third embodiment of an electrical in-post andin-hole proximity-sensing sensor and exciter pair as unengaged (FIG.26A) and fully engaged (FIG. 26B).

FIGS. 27A and 27B depict an in-hole proximity-sensing sensor as amechanical position sensor as unengaged (FIG. 27A) and fully engaged(FIG. 27B).

FIGS. 28A and 28B depict a first embodiment of a magnetic in-post andin-hole proximity-sensing sensor and exciter pair as unengaged (FIG.28A) and fully engaged (FIG. 28B).

FIGS. 29A and 29B depict a second embodiment of a magnetic in-post andin-hole proximity-sensing sensor and exciter pair as unengaged (FIG.29A) and fully engaged (FIG. 29B).

FIGS. 30A and 30B depict a first embodiment of an optical in-post andin-hole proximity-sensing sensor and exciter pair as unengaged (FIG.30A) and fully engaged (FIG. 30B).

FIGS. 31A and 31B depict a second embodiment of an optical in-post andin-hole proximity-sensing sensor and exciter pair as unengaged (FIG.31A) and fully engaged (FIG. 31B).

FIG. 32 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the EVSE kit havingground fault detection and interruption control elements distributedbetween the plug and the embedded EVSE controller in the dockingconnector.

FIG. 33 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the EVSE kit having aconductive sheath in the cable and a sheath sensor in the embedded EVSEcontroller for sensing penetration of the sheath in which the sheathsensor is an RF impedance sensor.

FIG. 34 is a cross-sectional end-view of the cable in the embodiment ofFIG. 33.

FIG. 35 depicts an embodiment in which the sheath sensor is anelectrical resistance sensor.

FIG. 36 depicts an embodiment in which the sheath sensor is a gaspressure sensor.

FIG. 37 depicts an embodiment in which the EVSE controller 115 ismounted on the end of the docking connector handle.

FIG. 38 depicts a modification an embodiment in which the EVSEcontroller is a module removably connectable at one end to the dockinghandle barrel and at the other end to the power cord.

FIG. 39 is a plan view of a version of the docking connector having anenclosed hand-grip.

To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have beenused, where possible, to designate identical elements that are common tothe figures. It is contemplated that elements and features of oneembodiment may be beneficially incorporated in other embodiments withoutfurther recitation. It is to be noted, however, that the appendeddrawings illustrate only exemplary embodiments of this invention and aretherefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the inventionmay admit to other equally effective embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present invention facilitate charging an EV usingcommonly available electricity outlets with a light transportable EVSEunit. The light transportable EVSE unit can be easily carried in an EVand independently used at remote locations to charge the EV fromstandard electric power outlets. Electrical and electronic componentsrequired to perform the functions of an EVSE are integrated into an EVSEcontroller that is embedded in a docking connector for connection to theEV charging port, in one embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 1, an electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) dockingconnector 105 has an external enclosure defining an interior volume. AnEVSE controller 115 is contained or embedded within the volume definedby the external enclosure of the docking connector 105, and thereforemay be referred to as the embedded EVSE controller 115. The embeddedEVSE controller 115 provides the docking connector 105 with the completefunctionality of an EVSE unit. A charging cable 101 has a docking end101-1 and a utility end 101-2. The exterior surface of the cable 101 isformed by a cylindrical flexible sleeve of an insulating material suchas rubber or flexible plastic, for example. The cable 101 containsmultiple insulated conductors described below. The docking end 101-1 ofthe charging cable 101 is directly connected to the docking connector105 in a manner described below.

The docking connector 105 includes a barrel or handle 105-1 and adocking head 105-2 extending at an acute angle from the barrel 105-1 andengagable with the EV charging port 107. The docking head 105-2 hasdiscrete conductor surfaces (not illustrated) disposed so as to makeelectrical contact with conductors in the EV charging port 107 uponinsertion of the docking head 105-2 into the EV charging port 107. Inthe embodiment of FIG. 1, the embedded EVSE controller 115 is containedwithin the barrel 105-1. However, the embedded EVSE controller 115 mayoccupy a portion of both the barrel 105-1 and the head 105-2 or it maybe located entirely within the head 105-2.

The docking connector 105 is provided with a barrel electrical connector105-3 on the end of the barrel 105-1 for furnishing electrical power tothe embedded EVSE controller 115. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, thebarrel electrical connector 105-3 is female. FIG. 2 depicts anotherembodiment of the docking connector 105 in which the barrel electricalconnector 105-3 is male. FIG. 3 depicts the docking connector 105charging an electric vehicle 109.

Referring to FIG. 4, the embedded EVSE controller 115 includes a firstcontactor 206 providing interruptable power flow between respectivepower conductors 202-1 and 202-2, and a second contactor 208 providinginterruptable power flow between respective conductors 204-1 and 204-2.The embedded EVSE controller 115 further includes a control pilotconductor 209 and a neutral conductor 211. As shown in FIG. 4, thedocking connector 105 contains a pair of internal insulated powerconductors 902, 904 connected to the power conductors 202-1 and 204-1,respectively, a control pilot conductor 909 connected to the controlpilot conductor 209 and a neutral conductor 911 connected to the neutralconductor 211. The conductors 902, 904, 909 and 911 extend through thehead 105-2 to docking head connection elements (not shown) that areremovably engagable with the EV charging port 107, as noted above.

The barrel electrical connector 105-3 provided on a near end of thebarrel 105-1 includes individual barrel connector conductors 105 a, 105b and 105 c connected to the conductors 202-2, 204-2 and 211,respectively, of the embedded EVSE controller 115.

The cable 101 contains a pair of insulated power conductors 802, 804 anda neutral conductor 811. The docking end 101-1 of the cable 101 isterminated at a cable electrical connector 102 having cable connectorconductors 101 a, 101 b, 101 c connected to the cable power conductors802, 804 and the neutral conductor 811, respectively. The cableconnector conductors 101 a, 101 b, 101 c are engagable with the barrelconnector conductors 105 a, 105 b and 105 c, respectively, uponengagement of the cable electrical connector 102 with the barrelelectrical connector 105-3. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 4, thebarrel connector conductors 105 a, 105 b and 105 c are female socketswhile the cable connector conductors 101 a, 101 b, 101 c are maleprongs. However, the male and female roles may be reversed, as in theembodiment of FIGS. 2 and 5, in which the barrel connector conductors105 a, 105 b and 105 c are male prongs while the cable connectorconductors 101 a, 101 b, 101 c are female sockets.

FIG. 3 depicts the charging of an EV 109 from a utility A.C. poweroutlet 113 by the EVSE system including the power cable 101, the cableutility connector (plug) 110 and the docking connector 105 containingthe embedded EVSE controller 115. The power cable 101 and the dockingconnector 105 containing the embedded EVSE controller 115 are portableand are readily stored within the EV 109 during travel.

The utility end 101-2 of the charging cable 101 has the cable utilityconnector (plug) 110 connectable to a standard 240 Volt AC power outlet.In one embodiment, the plug 110 and the AC power outlet 113 conform withNational Electrical Manufacturers Association Specification NEMA 6-50for 240 Volt A.C. electrical connectors.

Optionally, as depicted in FIG. 1, a 120 Volt-to-240 Volt plug adapter112 connectable to a standard 120 Volt AC power outlet may be tetheredto the utility end 101-2 of the cable 101.

The plug 110 may include an internal ground-fault interrupt (GFI)circuit housed inside the plug 110, as will be described later in thisspecification. The plug 110 may be enclosed or encased in an insulatingmaterial forming the exterior surface of plug 110, this exterior surfacebeing visible in the drawing of FIG. 1. The volume enclosed by theexterior surface, in one embodiment, is sufficient to contain the plugconductors and, in addition, the internal GFI circuit. If the GFIcircuit senses a ground fault, it interrupts power flow from the plug110 to the cable 101.

The barrel electrical connector 105-3, the cable electrical connector102, the plug 110 and the outlet 113 may all be 240 Volt AC standardmale/female connectors or other suitable connectors.

In an alternative embodiment depicted in FIGS. 6 and 7, the cableelectrical connector 102 and the barrel electrical connector 105-3 arereplaced by a permanent connection of the cable 101 to the dockingconnector 105 through a flexible cable strain relief 105-4.

In the foregoing embodiments, the embedded EVSE controller 115 providesthe docking connector 105 with the complete functionality of an EVSEunit, including the capability to perform charging of an EV and toperform the communication protocols required by the EV on-board systems.For this purpose, the embedded EVSE controller 115 includes circuitelements and programmable controller elements adapted to implement therequired functionality, as will now be described with reference to FIG.4.

Within the embedded EVSE controller 115, the contactors 206, 208 areopened and closed by an actuator 207 which may be a solenoid or othersuitable device, and will be referred to herein as a solenoid.Communication between EVSE controller 115 and the EV 109 is carried overthe control pilot conductor 209. Such communication may be implementedin accordance with the communication protocols defined in Section 5.3 ofthe Society of Automotive Engineers Specification SAE J1772. The neutralgrounded conductor 211 extends through the entire length of the chargingcable 101.

The embedded EVSE controller 115 may include various sensors, such as aground-fault sensor 210, a sensor 212 connected to the power conductors202-2 and 204-2 and adapted to sense voltage (and/or phase and/orfrequency) of the incoming power from the power outlet 113, and atemperature sensor 214 to monitor temperature inside the embedded EVSEcontroller 115. Operation of the embedded EVSE controller 115 isgoverned by a computer or processor 216. Each of the sensors 210, 212and 214 has an output connected through an appropriate input signalbuffer to an input of the processor 216. The processor 216 has a centralprocessing unit (CPU) or microprocessor 217 and a memory 218 storing aset of program instructions in the form of firmware. The microprocessor217 executes the program instructions to perform various functionsincluding implementing the required communication protocols with theon-board systems of the EV. If the communication protocols are thosedefined in Society of Automotive Engineers Specification SAE J1772, theyare implemented by the embedded EVSE controller 115 and the on-boardcomputer 360 of the EV 109 imposing a sequence of voltage changes on thecontrol pilot conductor 209. For this purpose, analog circuitry 220 ofthe embedded EVSE controller 115 is coupled between the microprocessor217 and the control pilot conductor 209. This feature enables themicroprocessor 217 to impose the required voltage changes on the controlpilot conductor 209 (and to sense voltage changes imposed on the controlpilot conductor 209 by the internal systems of the EV 109). Pulsemodulation of the voltage on the control pilot conductor 209 isperformed by a pulse generator 222 whose pulse duty cycle is controlledby the microprocessor 217. The pulse duty cycle signifies to the EV themaximum allowable charging current that may be drawn from the EVSE.

If the microprocessor 217 determines from the sensor 212 that theutility connector or plug 110 is connected to a voltage of 120 volts,then the microprocessor 217 sets the pulse duty cycle to a valuesignifying a particular current level (e.g., a Level 1 current leveldefined by SAE J1772). If the microprocessor 217 determines that theutility connector 110 is connected to a voltage of 240 volts, then themicroprocessor 217 may set the pulse duty cycle to a value signifyinganother current level (e.g., a Level 2 current defined by SAE J1772).Such current levels may be predetermined in accordance with the currentratings of the charging cable 101, and the current ratings of the 220Volt plug 110 and the 120 Volt adapter 112.

The D.C. voltage on the control pilot conductor 209 is controlled andsensed through the analog circuitry 220 by the microprocessor 217 inaccordance with the required communication protocol. The microprocessor217 controls the solenoid 207 to open or close the contactors 206, 208.The microprocessor 217 monitors the outputs of the ground faultinterrupt sensor 210, the voltage/frequency/phase sensor 212 and thetemperature sensor 214 to determine whether any conditions arise thatare outside of a prescribed set of conditions (e.g., voltage beyond aprescribed range, temperature outside of a prescribed range, groundfault occurrence, etc.), and if so, opens the contactors 206 and 208.Such an occurrence may be indicated under control of the microprocessor217 on a user interface or by external lights or light emitting diodes(LEDs) 117 provided on the docking connector 105 as shown in FIG. 1. TheLED's 117 are controlled by the microprocessor through an interface117-1. The light patterns for different conditions may be specified forthe user and are implemented by the microprocessor 217.

FIG. 8 is a simplified diagram depicting certain components of the EV109 of FIG. 3 and their connection through the EV charging port 107 tothe embedded EVSE controller 115 of FIGS. 1 and 4. These componentsinclude a battery pack 352 and a charge controller or battery managementunit 354. In addition, analog circuitry 356 may be provided to enablethe charge controller 354 to respond to and impose changes in voltage onthe control pilot conductor 209 of the embedded EVSE controller 115.This feature enables the charge controller 354 to respond appropriatelyto changes in voltage on the control pilot conductor 209 in accordancewith the required communication protocol referred to above.

The embedded EVSE controller 115, in one embodiment, automaticallydetects (through the sensor 212) the voltage input through the cable101, and ascertains the appropriate voltage range, which is either Level1 (i.e., 120 VAC±10%) or Level 2 (i.e., 240 VAC±10%). Once theappropriate range has been ascertained, the microprocessor 217constantly compares the actual voltage measured by the sensor 212 withthe appropriate voltage range, and issues an alarm or halts chargingwhenever (for example) an over-voltage condition occurs. Therefore thedocking connector 105 containing the embedded EVSE controller 115 can beoperated as a Level 1 or Level 2 EVSE depending upon the attached plugconnector.

FIG. 9 depicts one method for automatically adapting to the voltagerange. In this method, the microprocessor continually monitors theutility supply voltage using the sensor 212 (block 240 of FIG. 9). Themicroprocessor 217 determines whether the sensed voltage is closer to120 VAC—“Level 1”, or 240 VAC—“Level 2” (block 242). If the sensedvoltage is closer to 120 VAC (YES branch of block 242), then themicroprocessor 217 establishes the allowable voltage range as 120VAC±10% (block 244 a). If the sensed voltage is closer to 240 VAC (NObranch of block 242), then the microprocessor 217 establishes theallowable voltage range as 240 VAC±10% (block 244 b).

In a further aspect, the designer may have established a maximumallowable current level, which may be the same for both possible voltageranges (i.e., Level 1 and Level 2) or may be different for the tworanges. For example, the maximum allowable current level may be higherfor the Level 2 voltage range than for the Level 1 voltage range, totake advantage of the higher current levels allowed by the specificationSAE J1772 for Level 2 voltages. The microprocessor 217 sets the maximumallowable current level (block 248 of FIG. 9), which may depend uponwhether the allowable voltage range is a Level 1 voltage or a Level 2voltage. The microprocessor 217 sets the pulse generator 222 to a dutycycle corresponding to the maximum allowable current level (block 250).

The microprocessor 217 monitors the current using the output of thesensor 212 (block 252) and produces an alarm and a trouble code if thecurrent exceeds the limit (block 254). The microprocessor 217 continuesto monitor the utility supply voltage, and if the sensed voltagedeviates outside of the allowable voltage range, the microprocessor 217generates a fault alarm to the user and stores a corresponding troublecode in the memory 218 (block 255).

File Uploading/Downloading Via Control Pilot Serial Port:

In accordance with one embodiment, provision is made for serial datatransfer from and to the microprocessor 217 over the control pilotconductor 209. Referring now to FIG. 10, the microprocessor 217 has aserial port 400 that provides serial data transfer in accordance with asuitable serial data transfer protocol such as Universal Serial Bus(USB) or RS232. The appropriate driver firmware may be stored in thememory 218 to enable the microprocessor 217 to implement data transfervia the control pilot conductor 209 in both directions. A serial bus orconductor 410 connects the serial port 400 with the control pilotconductor 209. The control pilot conductor 209 thus functions as (A) acommunication channel for the analog D.C. voltage level changes by whichthe EVSE and the EV communicate with each other and (B) a two-way serialbus for digital communication.

External access to the serial port 400 via the control pilot conductor209 is provided through a stand-alone interface tool 415 shown in FIG.10. The interface tool 415 has an interface tool connector port 420 ableto mate with the EVSE connector 105 whenever the EVSE connector 105 isnot mated to the EV charging port 107. Whenever the EVSE connector 105is mated with the interface tool connector port 420, one pin 420 a ofthe interface tool connector port 420 is coupled to the control pilotconductor 209, while a second pin 420 b is coupled to the neutralconductor 211. A user-accessible serial port 425, such as a USB port, isprovided on the interface tool 415 and is connected to the pins 420 aand 420 b through internal conductors inside the interface tool 415.

Whenever it is desired to communicate with the microprocessor 217 orverify contents of the memory 218 or to perform file transfers (e.g., toupload a latest revision of firmware) to the microprocessor 217 and/ormemory 218, the EVSE connector 105 is disconnected from the EV chargingport 107 and connected instead to the interface tool connector port 420.The interface tool connector port 420 provides for connection betweenthe control pilot conductor 209 and the user-accessible serial port 425.The serial port 425 may be implemented as a USB connector which may beconnected to a computer 430 (e.g., a personal computer or a notebookcomputer) or to a handheld programmable communication device 435, suchas a PDA (personal digital assistant) or a smart phone or equivalentdevice. Both the processor 216 and the computer 430 (or PDA 435) containrespective firmware program instructions that enable a user to performvarious tasks, such as downloading and interpreting EVSE trouble codes,verifying the software version of programs stored in the memory 218,deleting obsolete software stored in the memory 218 and uploadingupdated versions of the software from the computer 430 or PDA 435 to thememory 218. The character representation of each EVSE trouble code andthe conditions under which it is to be issued by the microprocessor 217are predetermined by the system designer.

Provision may be made for the EV 109 to transmit diagnostic troublecodes to the EVSE. In this case, these trouble codes may be stored inthe memory 218 of the in-line controller 115, and later (when the EV 109and EVSE 100 are no longer connected) downloaded through the interfacetool 415 for evaluation or diagnosis by a technician.

The interface tool 415 may be provided as a portable tool that the usermay store at home. The interface tool 415 may be provided as standardequipment stored in the EV along with the portable charging cable 100.The interface tool 415 may be provided in a kiosk at a vehicle dealerfor example, that can be visited by the user. The interface tool 415 maybe provided as a professional technician's tool for use by repairfacilities or dealers. In this latter case, the interface tool 415 mayinclude most or all of the functionality of a computer 430 (including amicroprocessor and memory, a display, and program firmware fordownloading and interpreting trouble codes), so as to be aself-contained hand-held diagnostic tool. Software updates may beobtained by the computer 430, the handheld communication device 435, orby the interface tool 415 itself, via a communication channel such as adedicated radio link, a local area network or via the internet.

FIGS. 11 and 12 depict a versatile handheld embodiment of the interfacetool 415. FIG. 11 depicts how the interface tool may be shaped whileFIG. 12 depicts its internal architecture. In FIG. 11, the interfacetool 415 includes the connector port 420. The connector port 420 may becompatible with the type specified by the Society of AutomotiveEngineers Specification SAE J1772, for connection to the dockingconnector 105 of FIG. 1 (or FIG. 2). The interface tool 415 of FIGS. 11and 12 further includes a microprocessor 436, a memory 437 and a displayor video monitor screen 438. The microprocessor 436 includes a serialport 436 a that is connected to the connector port pins 420 a, 420 b tofacilitate communication with the EVSE's microprocessor 217. Themicroprocessor 436 controls the display 438 and is coupled to the memory437. The memory 437 stores firmware including an operating system 437 a,a USB driver 437 b for communication with the EVSE's microprocessor 217and a video driver 437 c for controlling the display 438. In addition,the memory 437 may store diagnostic firmware 437 d enabling themicroprocessor 436 to interpret trouble codes and status data receivedfrom the EVSE microprocessor 217 and to generate representative imageson the display 438 that enable the user to understand the status of theEVSE controller 115 and to understand the trouble codes. A communicationmodule 439 coupled to the microprocessor 436 enables the microprocessor436 to access new information via a communication network such as theinternet or a local area network (e.g., within a facility such as avehicle dealership). For example, the communication module 439 mayinclude conventional wireless local area networking hardware. A keypad440 may be provided on the interface tool 415 to enable the user (e.g.,a technician) to enter commands to the EVSE microprocessor 217 (e.g.,requesting a particular data transfer or information) and/or to respondto prompts on the display 438 generated by the diagnostic firmware. Thedisplay 438 may be a touch screen, enabling the user to communicate tothe microprocessor 436. In this case, the key pad 440 may not berequired.

The information obtained from the EVSE controller 115 by the interfacetool 415 may include the current status of the EVSE controller 115(e.g., temperature within range, supply voltage within range, frequencywithin range, no GFE faults, etc.). This information may be displayed ona monitor of the computer 430 or on a display screen of the PDA 435, forexample. Or, if the interface tool 415 is the versatile embodiment ofFIGS. 11 and 12, then the information may be displayed on the screen ordisplay 438 of the interface tool 415.

In an alternative embodiment, the information obtained from themicroprocessor 217 via serial data communication on the control pilotconductor 209 may be displayed on the driver's display of the EV 109.This would be possible whenever the EVSE docking connector 105 isconnected to the EV charging port 107, not to the interface tool 415. Insuch a case, an on-board computer of the EV 109 may be programmed toobtain the information through the EV battery management system. Withregard to such a feature, the EV 109 of FIG. 8 includes a serial port358 that is coupled to the control pilot conductor 209 of the EVSEcontroller 115 whenever the EVSE docking connector 105 is connected tothe EV 109. In addition, FIG. 8 depicts further elements of the EV 109,including an on-board computer 360 and an EV driver display 362controlled by the on-board computer 360. The on-board computer 360 mayaccess firmware 364 that enables it to communicate with the batterymanagement system 354 to obtain information via the serial port 358 (orthe on-board computer 360 may communicate directly with the serial port358). In this way, during the time that the EV 109 is being chargedthrough the docking connector 105, information concerning the status ofthe EVSE controller 115 may be displayed on the EV driver display 362.As noted above, the displayed information may include current status ofthe EVSE controller 115, a history of past trouble codes, identificationof the firmware version stored in the EVSE memory 218, and relatedinformation.

FIGS. 13A and 13B depict a method using the control pilot conductor as aserial bus to communicate digital information to and from the EVSEmemory 218 and microprocessor 217 using the interface tool 415 of FIG.11 with the computer 430 or using the interface tool of FIGS. 11 and 12.The operations depicted in FIGS. 13A and 13B rely upon the EVSE memory218 containing certain components as depicted in FIG. 14.

Referring to FIG. 14, the components stored in the memory 218 mayinclude an operating system 401, and a set of instructions 402 that maybe used control the microprocessor 217 to perform particular datatransfer operations. These operations may include downloading specifiedinformation in the memory 218, erasing specified locations in the memory218, and uploading new files to specified locations in the memory 218.The components stored in the memory 218 may further include a firmwarepackage or program 404 that enables the microprocessor 217 to performthe required communication protocols and charge the EV 109 in accordancewith the required procedures. The memory 218 may further contain aprogram 406 that enables the microprocessor 217 to generate appropriatetrouble codes whenever a fault (or condition violating the requirementsof a controlling specification) is detected. The memory 218 may alsocontain a list of allowed voltage ranges 408, current limits 410,temperature limits 412 and a may contain a USB driver 414.

Referring again to FIGS. 13A and 13B, a first operation (block 500) isto download data or information files from the memory 218 to thecomputer 430 via the control pilot conductor 209 serial port 400 usingthe interface tool 415. There are various tasks this operation canperform. A first task may be for the computer 430 to download the datatransfer instruction set of the microprocessor 217 via the serial port400 (block 502). This would enable the user to select the properinstruction to command the microprocessor 217 to perform specific datatransfer tasks. One such task may be to download current trouble codes(block 504), which may be used, for example, in testing the EVSE 100 inthe absence of the EV 109. Another task may be to download the presentEVSE status (block 506). This task may be performed in one of threemodes, depending upon the command asserted by the computer 430: (1)manually, upon request (block 508), (2) continuously, in streaming mode(block 510), and (3) an automatic dump of information upon status change(block 512).

A further download task may be to download the entire history of troublecodes stored in the memory 218 (block 514). Another download task may beto download from the memory 218 the identity (or date) of the firmwarecurrently stored in the memory 218 (block 516) to determine whether ithas been superseded or needs updating.

A next operation using the control pilot conductor 209 as a serial databus is to display the downloaded information (block 520). This operationmay use the display on a screen of the computer 430 or on a display orscreen of the PDA 435 (block 522). The downloaded information may bedisplayed on the interface tool display screen 438 of FIG. 11 (block524). In an alternative embodiment, the downloaded information isdisplayed on the EV driver display 362 of FIG. 8 (block 526 of FIG.13B). In this embodiment, the EVSE docking connector 105 is connected tothe EV charging port 107, not to the interface tool 415. The informationto be displayed is communicated to the EV on-board computer 360 via thecontrol pilot conductor 209 (block 528).

A third type of operation is to upload program files to the memory 218via the control pilot conductor 209 (block 530). The uploaded files maybe furnished from a computer 430 or PDA 435 connected to the interfacetool 415. Alternatively, the uploaded program files may be furnished bythe interface tool 415 itself, using its communication module 439, forexample. A first step is to connect the docking connector 105 to theinterface tool 415. If necessary, the interface tool 415 is connected tothe computer 430 or PDA 435, in the manner illustrated in FIG. 12 (block532). The next step is for the computer 430 (or PDA 435) to obtain thelatest firmware files from a source, for example over the internet(block 534). The memory 218 may be cleared by erasing selected (or all)firmware files previously loaded into the memory 218 (block 536). Theoperation is completed by writing the new files to the memory 218 (block538).

Because of the compact size and insulation of the EVSE controller 115,it may operate at fairly high internal temperatures, which need to becontrolled in order to avoid overheating. In accordance with a furtheraspect, the microprocessor 217 may be programmed to prevent shutdown ofthe charging operation due to overheating of the EVSE controller 115 ofFIG. 1. It does this by reducing the charging current before thetemperature reaches the maximum allowed limit. Specifically, the EVSEmicroprocessor 217 (FIG. 4 or FIG. 5) may be programmed to override thenominal setting of the pulse duty cycle and reduce the duty cycle of thepulse generator 222, in response to the output of the temperature sensor214 exceeding a predetermined threshold temperature (e.g., 70 degreesC.) that is 10%-30% below the maximum operating temperature of themicroprocessor 217 (e.g., 85 degrees C.). It does this so as to reducethe charging current (set by the pulse duty cycle) by an amountproportional to the approach of the measured temperature to the maximumoperating temperature of the microprocessor 217 (e.g., 85 degrees C.).The nominal pulse duty cycle is stored in the memory 218 at onelocation, the predetermined threshold temperature is stored in thememory 218 at another location and the maximum operating temperature isstored in the memory 218 at third location. The reduction in chargingcurrent may be by an amount proportional to the rise of the measuredtemperature above the predetermined threshold temperature. The operationis represented as a series of program instructions stored in the memory218 and executed by the microprocessor 217, and is illustrated in FIG.15.

Referring now to FIG. 15 the EVSE controller 115 and the EV 109 performthe prescribed handshake protocol via the control pilot conductor 209after the docking connector 105 has been inserted into the EV chargingport 107 (block 710 of FIG. 15). The duty cycle of the pulse generator222 is set to the maximum allowable current draw that was previouslydetermined by the system designer (block 715). The output of thetemperature sensor 214 is sampled to obtain a present temperature ofinside the EVSE 100 (block 720). A comparison of the present temperatureto the predetermined threshold temperature (e.g., 70 degrees C.) isperformed (block 725). If the present temperature is below thepredetermined threshold temperature (YES branch of block 725), then theoperation returns to the step of block 715. Otherwise (NO branch ofblock 725), the present temperature is compared with the maximumoperating temperature (e.g., 85 degrees C.) in block 730. If the presenttemperature is less than the maximum operating temperature (YES branchof block 730), then the microprocessor 217 overrides the previously setnominal duty cycle value and reduces the duty cycle from the nominalvalue by a factor proportional to either the ratio between the measuredpresent temperature and the maximum operating temperature or thedifference between them (block 735). In the unlikely event that themeasured temperature exceeds the maximum operating temperature (NObranch of block 730), charging is halted (block 740), and the operationreturns to the step of block 720. The occurrence of such an event isunlikely because the onset of charging current reduction (block 735)occurs at the predetermined threshold temperature, which is 10% to 30%below the maximum operating temperature. Thus, in the examples providedherein, the predetermined threshold temperature may be 70 degrees C. fora maximum operating temperature of 85 degrees C.

In an exemplary embodiment, the step of block 735 may be performed byreducing the control pilot pulse duty cycle by a factor F, so that theduty cycle is changed from the current duty cycle D by multiplying D by(1-F), so that the new duty cycle is (1-F)D. F depends upon the presenttemperature sensed by the sensor 214. One example of how to define F isas follows:

F=(present temp−70 deg C.)/(85 deg C.−70 deg C.),

where “present temp” is the measured temperature from the sensor 214 indegrees C., 85 deg C. is the maximum operating temperature, and 70 degC. is the predetermined threshold temperature. The skilled worker mayuse suitable definitions of F other than the foregoing.

In accordance with a further embodiment, proximity sensing between thecable utility connector (plug) 110 and the A.C. power outlet 113 isprovided. Referring to FIG. 16, the utility connector (plug) 110 has asensor 820 on a receptacle-facing surface 110-1 of the utility connector(plug) 110. The power outlet 113 has an exciter 822 on a plug-facingsurface 113-1 of the power outlet 113. The sensor 820 and the exciter822 are in mutual registration whenever the plug 110 is engaged with thepower outlet 113. The sensor 820 may be magnetic, electrical or optical,respectively, in which case the exciter 822 is a magnetic material, aconductor or an optically visible pattern, respectively, or any othersuitable sensor-exciter pair. The output of the sensor 820 (e.g., avoltage signal) is connected to a logic circuit 824 provided within theplug 110. A power switch or contactor 826 within the plug 110 isconnected between conductive prongs 828-1 and 828-2 of the plug 110 andthe AC power conductors of the cable 101. The logic circuit 824 controlsthe power switch 826. The logic circuit 824 may be implemented so as tocause the power switch 826 to remain open unless or until the sensor 820indicates that the exciter 822 is near the sensor 820. In oneembodiment, the sensor 820 and exciter 822 are designed so that thesensor 820 produces a signal above a threshold recognized by the logiccircuit 824 only when the plug 110 is fully inserted into the outlet113.

The utility connector (plug) 110 has an exciter 830 on thereceptacle-facing surface 110-1. The power outlet 113 has a sensor 832on the plug-facing surface 113-1. The sensor 832 and the exciter 830 arein mutual registration whenever the plug 110 is engaged with the outlet113. The sensor 832 may be magnetic, electrical or optical,respectively, in which case the exciter 830 is a magnetic material, aconductor or an optically visible pattern, respectively, or any othersuitable sensor-exciter pair. The output of the sensor 832 (e.g., avoltage signal) is connected to a logic circuit 834 provided within orbehind the outlet 113. A power switch or contactor 836 within or behindthe outlet 113 is connected between conductive sockets 838-1 and 838-2of the outlet 113 and AC power conductors furnishing A.C. power to theoutlet 113 from a utility distribution panel (not shown). The logiccircuit 834 controls the power switch 836. The logic circuit 834 may bedesigned or programmed so as to cause the power switch 836 to remainopen unless or until the sensor 832 indicates that the exciter 830 isnear the sensor 832. In one embodiment, the sensor 832 and exciter 830are designed so that the sensor 832 produces a signal above a thresholdrecognized by the logic circuit 834 only when the plug 110 is fullyinserted into the outlet 113.

The power outlet 113 may be of a design that is optimized for use withthe docking connector 105 containing the embedded EVSE controller 115.In a first embodiment, the plug 110 and the outlet 113 have mechanicalbarriers separate from the conductive prongs of the plug 110 or theconductive sockets of the power outlet 113. The mechanical barriersprevent connection of the plug 110 to any receptacle except theoptimized power outlet 113, or prevent connection of the power outlet113 to any plug except the optimized utility plug 110, or prevent bothpossibilities. These mechanical barriers are embodied as external postsand matching holes in opposing surfaces of the plug 110 and outlet 113.Referring to FIG. 17A, in a first embodiment the outlet 113 has one ormore non-conductive posts 840-1 through 840-4 protruding from theplug-facing surface 113-1, while the plug 110 has one or more holes842-1 through 842-4 matching and aligned with the posts 840-1 through840-4. This feature prevents connection of any plug to the outlet 113except the plug 110 containing the holes 842-1 through 842-4.

Referring to FIG. 17B, in a second embodiment the plug 110, which maymeet a desired specification (e.g., NEMA 6-50), has one or more posts840-1 through 840-4 protruding from the receptacle-facing surface 110-1,while the outlet 113 has one or more holes 842-1 through 842-4 matchingand aligned with the posts 840-1 through 840-4. This feature preventsconnection of the plug 110 to any receptacle except the outlet 113containing the holes 842-1 through 842-4.

Referring to FIG. 17C, the plug 110 has posts 840-1 and 840-3 and holes842-2 and 842-4, while the outlet 113 has holes 842-1 and 842-3 matchingthe posts 840-1 and 840-3 and posts 840-2 and 840-4 matching the holes842-2 and 842-4. In the embodiment of FIG. 17C, only the optimized plug110 and the optimized outlet 113 may be connected together.

In FIGS. 17A, 17B and 17C, the posts 840-1 through 840-4 arenon-conductive and the holes 842-1 through 842-4 are formed innon-conductive materials.

FIGS. 18A and 18B depict the insertion of the posts 840-1 through 840-4into the holes 842-1 through 842-4, showing that the posts and holesengage before the conductive prongs of the plug 110 reach the conductivesockets of the outlet 113. This feature prevents electrical connectionuntil proper alignment and registration between the posts and holesassures a safe connection. FIGS. 19A and 19B depict the insertion of theposts 840-1 through 840-4 into the holes 842-1 through 842-4, with anelastic insulating skirt 850 attached to the plug 110 and covering theprotruding conductive prongs of the plug 110. The skirt 850 iscompressed in the view of FIG. 19B as the plug 110 approaches the outlet113, preventing accidental touching of the conductive prongs of the plug110 during insertion into the outlet 113.

Referring to FIG. 20, an in-hole sensor 852 is provided in one of theholes of FIGS. 17A-17C (e.g., the hole 842-3), and an in-post exciter854 is provided in the corresponding one of the posts of FIGS. 17A-17C(e.g., the post 840-3). This arrangement may be reversed, as depicted inFIG. 21, in which an in-hole exciter 856 is provided in one of the holesof FIGS. 17A-17C (e.g., the hole 842-3), while an in-post sensor 858 isprovided in the corresponding one of the posts of FIGS. 17A-17C (e.g.,the post 840-3). The sensor 852 or 858 may be a magnetic, electrical,optical or mechanical sensor, for example, in which case thecorresponding exciter 852 or 856 may be, respectively, a permanentmagnet, a conductor, an optical pattern or the post itself.

FIG. 22 depicts how the sensors 852 and 858 and exciters 854 and 856 ofFIGS. 20 and 21 can provide control over electrical power based upon theinsertion position of the plug 110 relative to the outlet 113. As shownin FIG. 22, the plug 110 has non-conductive posts 840-1 and 840-3, whilethe outlet 113 has non-conductive holes 842-1 and 842-3 that areconfigured to receive the posts 840-1 and 840-3, respectively. AC powerprongs 828-1 and 828-2 of the plug 110 are connected to respective powerconductors 829-1 and 829-2 of the cord 101 through respective powerswitches or contactors 826-1 and 826-2 within the plug 110. The post840-3 of FIG. 22 has the in-post sensor 858. The matching hole 842-3 inthe power outlet 113 has the in-hole exciter 856. A logic circuit 860has an input connected to the in-post sensor 858. The logic circuit 860controls the contactors 826-1 and 826-2 and is designed or programmed tomaintain the contactors 826-1 and 826-2 open unless or until the sensor858 provides a predetermined signal indicative of an alignment betweenthe sensor 858 and the exciter 856. In one embodiment, the sensor 858and exciter 856 are designed so that the sensor 858 produces apredetermined signal (e.g., a voltage above a certain threshold)recognized by the logic circuit 860 only when sensor 858 and exciter 856are adjacent and aligned with one another. The location of the sensor858 and exciter 856 is such that the predetermined signal is producedonly when the plug 110 is fully inserted into the outlet 113.

As shown in FIG. 22, the hole 842-1 of the power outlet 113 has thein-hole sensor 852 while the corresponding post 840-1 in the plug 110has the in-post exciter 854. The outlet 113 has conductive sockets 838-1and 838-2 configured to receive the prongs 828-1 and 828-2,respectively. The conductive sockets 838-1 and 838-2 are connected torespective power conductors 841-1 and 841-2 (from a utility distributionpanel not shown) through respective power switches or contactors 846-1and 846-2. In FIG. 22, the hole 842-1 of the outlet 113 has the in-holesensor 852. The matching post 840-1 of the plug 110 has the in-postexciter 854. A logic circuit 861 of the outlet 113 has an inputconnected to the in-hole sensor 852. The logic circuit 861 controls thecontactors 846-1 and 846-2 and is designed or programmed to maintain thecontactors 846-1 and 846-2 open unless or until the sensor 852 providesa predetermined signal indicative of an alignment between the sensor 852and the exciter 854. In one embodiment, the sensor 852 and exciter 854are designed so that the sensor 852 produces a predetermined signal(e.g., a voltage above a certain threshold) recognized by the logiccircuit 861 only when the sensor 852 and the exciter 854 are adjacentand aligned with one another. The location of the sensor 852 and exciter854 is such that the predetermined signal is produced only when the plug110 is fully inserted into the outlet 113.

FIG. 23 illustrates a modification of the embodiment of FIG. 22, inwhich the post 840-1 with the in-post exciter 854 and the post 840-3with the in-post sensor 858 are provided on the outlet 113 rather thanthe plug. Furthermore, in the embodiment of FIG. 23 the hole 842-1 withthe in-hole sensor 852 and the hole 842-3 with the in-hole exciter 856are provided in the plug 110 rather than the outlet 113.

The features of FIGS. 16 through 17C and 20-22 have been described beingincorporated into the plug 110 and the outlet 113. In addition, thefeatures of FIGS. 16-17C and 20-22 may be incorporated into the barrelelectrical connector 105-3 of FIG. 1 or FIG. 2 and into the cableelectrical connector 102 of FIG. 1 or FIG. 2. In such a case, forexample, the barrel electrical connector 105-3 of FIG. 2 would containthe features of the plug 110 of FIG. 22 (or of FIG. 23), and the cableelectrical connector 102 of FIG. 2 would contain the features of theoutlet 113 of FIG. 35 (or of FIG. 36). Alternatively, the barrelelectrical connector 105-3 of FIG. 1 would contain the features of theoutlet 113 FIG. 22 (or of FIG. 23), and the cable electrical connector102 of FIG. 1 would contain the features of the plug 110 of FIG. 35 (orof FIG. 36).

FIGS. 24A and 24B depict one embodiment of an electrical version of thein-post exciter 854 and in-hole sensor 852, of which FIG. 24A depictsthe assembly prior to post-hole insertion and FIG. 24B depicts theassembly upon post-hole insertion. The in-post exciter 854 is aconductive band, while the in-hole sensor 852 is provided as a pair ofconductive contacts that form a closed circuit upon post-hole insertion.

FIGS. 25A and 25B depict another embodiment of an electrical version ofthe in-hole exciter 856 and in-post sensor 858. The in-hole exciter 856is a conductive band, while the in-post sensor 858 is provided as a pairof conductive contacts that form a closed circuit upon post-holeinsertion.

FIGS. 26A and 26B depict a further embodiment of an electrical versionof the in-hole exciter 856 and in-post sensor 858. The in-hole exciter856 is a pair of conductive bands held at different voltages, while thein-post sensor 858 is provided as a pair of conductive contacts thattransmit that voltage difference to a logic circuit whenever the twosets of contacts are in mutual engagement upon post-hole insertion.

FIGS. 27A and 27B depict an embodiment in which the in-hole sensor 852is a spring-loaded end-of-travel sensor actuated by the distal end ofthe post upon complete plug insertion.

FIGS. 28A and 28B depict an embodiment in which the in-post sensor 858is a magnetic sensor such as a coil or a magnetically-actuated relay,while the in-hole exciter 856 is a magnet or permanent magnet.

FIGS. 29A and 29B depict an embodiment in which the in-hole sensor 852is a magnetic sensor such as a coil or a magnetically actuated relaywhile the in-post exciter 854 is a magnet or permanent magnet.

FIGS. 30A and 30B depict an embodiment in which the in-hole sensor 852is an optical sensor or image array, while the in-post exciter 854 is anoptical pattern that stimulates a predetermined output from the sensor852 only when the post is fully inserted as in FIGS. 30B.

FIGS. 31A and 31B depict an embodiment in which the in-post sensor 858is an optical sensor or image array, while the in-hole exciter 856 is anoptical pattern that stimulates a predetermined output from the sensor858 only when the post is fully inserted as in FIGS. 31B.

Referring again to FIGS. 22 and 23, a ground fault interrupt (GFI)capability may be included in the plug 110 by providing a ground faultdetector 870 in the plug 110. The detector 870 has two inputs connectedto the two prongs 828-1 and 828-2 of the plug 110. The output of thefault detector 870 is connected to an input of the logic circuit 860.The logic circuit 860 is designed or programmed to open the contactorsor switches 826-1 and 826-2 if the fault detector 870 issues a faultindication, or if one of the in-hole or in-post sensors does notregister full engagement of the plug 110 with the outlet 113.Alternatively, the fault detector 870 and the logic circuit 860 may beprovided in the plug 110 without the in-hole sensors or exciters andin-post sensors and exciters.

As shown in FIGS. 22 and 23, a ground fault interrupt (GFI) capabilitymay be included in the outlet 113 by providing a ground fault detector871 in or with the outlet 113. The detector 871 has two inputs connectedto the two AC power conductors 841-1 and 841-2 from the utilitydistribution panel (not shown). The output of the fault detector 871 isconnected to an input of the logic circuit 861. The logic circuit 861 isdesigned or programmed to open the contactors or switches 846-1 and846-2 if the fault detector 871 issues a fault indication, or if one ofthe in-hole or in-post sensors does not register full engagement of theplug 110 with the outlet 113. Alternatively, the fault detector 871 andthe logic circuit 861 may be provided in the outlet 113 without thein-hole sensors or exciters and in-post sensors and exciters.

FIG. 32 depicts a distributed ground fault interrupt (GFI) feature forthe plug 110, in which the principal components required for GFI arelocated in the docking connector 105 (i.e., in the embedded EVSEcontroller 115), and only the contactors 826-1 and 826-2 are containedin the plug 110. This minimizes the contents and size of the plug 110.The distributed GFI feature for the plug 110 of FIG. 32 utilizes the GFIdetection capability of the embedded EVSE controller 115 described aboveto control the contactors 826-1 and 826-2 in the plug 110. For thispurpose, an insulated signal path conductor 880 is provided through thelength of the cable 101. The signal path conductor 880 carries aninterrupt command signal from the processor 216 of the embedded EVSEcontroller 115 to the contactors 826-1 and 826-2 in the plug 110. Theprocessor 216 in the embodiment of FIG. 32 is programmed to issue aninterrupt command signal whenever the sensor 212 in the embedded EVSEcontroller 115 detects a ground fault.

Referring to FIGS. 33 and 34, the cable 101 has a conventional outercover 101-A. A cylindrical sheath 890 is contained under the outer cover101-A. The sheath 890 preferably extends the entire length of the cable101 and surrounds the electrical conductors of the cable 101, and may beformed of a thin conductive material such as a metal foil, for example.A sensor 892 within the embedded EVSE controller 115 is attached to thesheath 890. The sensor 892 may be of any suitable type adapted to sensea change in a characteristic of the sheath indicative of a tear orpenetration of the sheath 890. The output of the sensor 892 is connectedto a logic circuit 894 whose output is connected to the processor 216.In the embodiment of FIG. 33, the processor 216 is programmed to openthe contactors 206 and 208 (shown in FIG. 32) in response to the outputof the sensor 892. Alternatively, or in addition, the output of thelogic circuit 894 may be connected through the signal path conductor 880of FIG. 32 to the contactors 826-1 and 826-2 in the plug 110, so thatpower flow through the plug 110 is interrupted whenever the integrity ofthe sheath 890 is violated.

In FIG. 33, the sensor 892 senses changes in RF impedance of the sheath890 with reference to the neutral conductor in the cable 101. In oneimplementation, the sensor 892 may consist of an impedance bridge 892-1connected to a low level RF generator 892-2, one node of the impedancebridge 892-1 being the sensor output connected to the logic circuit 894.

In the embodiment of FIG. 35, the sensor 892 senses the electricalresistance between the two ends of the sheath 890. In FIG. 35, thesensor 892 is connected to the end of the sheath 890 at the embeddedEVSE controller 115. An insulated return conductor 896 within the cable101 is attached to the end of the sheath 890 at the plug 110, andextends through the cable 101 back to the sensor 892. This enables thesensor 892 to measure DC resistance along the length of the sheath 890.

In the embodiment of FIG. 36, the sensor 892 senses air pressure insidethe sheath 890. In this case, the sheath 890 forms a sealed (air tight)enclosure, and its interior volume is initially pressurized to apredetermined pressure exceeding atmospheric pressure. The logic circuit894 responds to an indication by the sensor 892 of a loss of pressureinside the sheath 890, indicating violation of the integrity of thesheath 890. The sheath 890 is sealed at each of its two ends, namely atthe end near the plug 110 and at the end terminated at the embedded EVSEcontroller 115. For example, an end cap 891 seals the end of the sheath890 at the embedded EVSE controller 115.

In the embodiments of FIGS. 33 through 36, the logic circuit 894 isdesigned or programmed to respond to changes in a characteristic of thesheath 890 (e.g., such as electrical resistance, RF impedance, internalpressure or other characteristic) beyond a threshold change and/orexceeding a threshold rate of change, for example.

The proximity detection embodiments of FIG. 16, the insulating postembodiments of FIGS. 17A-17C, the in-post sensor embodiments of FIGS.20-23, the distributed GFI embodiment of FIG. 32 and the in-cableconductive sheath embodiments of FIGS. 33-34 may be combined with insuitable combinations with the embodiments of FIGS. 1-8 and/or insuitable combinations with one another.

FIG. 37 depicts an embodiment in which the EVSE controller 115 of FIG. 4is contained in a housing 115 a mounted on one end of the dockingconnector handle 105-1. The EVSE controller 115 is electricallyconnected to the docking connector 105 without an intervening externalcable. In the embodiment of FIG. 37, the power cord 101 is connected tothe EVSE controller 115 in the manner depicted in FIG. 7. The externallights 117 are provided on the EVSE housing 115 a.

FIG. 38 depicts a modification of the embodiment of FIG. 37, in whichthe housing of the EVSE controller 115 is a module having a pair ofopposing module ends 930 and 940. The module end 930 has a femaleelectrical connector removably engagable with a male electricalconnector provided in the end 105-3 of the docking connector barrel105-2. The module end 940 has male electrical connector removablyengagable with a female electrical connector 110′ provided on one end ofthe power cord 101. In another embodiment, the locations of the male andfemale electrical connectors are reversed with respect to thearrangement depicted in FIG. 38.

FIG. 39 is a plan view of a version of an embodiment of the dockingconnector 105 having an enclosed hand-grip. In the embodiment of FIG.39, the docking connector 105 has a barrel 105-1 connected at an outerend 105-3 to the power cable 101, and a head 105-2 extending at an anglefrom the barrel 105-1. A rounded hand-grip 954 extends from the barrel105-1, and a gripping space 955 is defined between the hand-grip 954 andthe barrel 105-1. Finger rests 957 are provided in a surface 954 a ofthe hand-grip 954 facing the gripping space 955. The docking connectorhead 105-2 of FIG. 39 may include a night light 958 to illuminate the EVcharging port 107. The external lights 117 are provided on a surfacenear the barrel 105-1 and/or near the hand-grip 954.

While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present invention,other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised withoutdeparting from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof isdetermined by the claims that follow.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) kitfor charging an electric vehicle through a charging port of the electricvehicle, comprising: a) a docking connector; and b) an embedded EVSEcontroller inside said docking connector, the EVSE controller beingconfigured to: i) set a control pilot pulse duty cycle to correspond toa maximum charging current limit for a corresponding charging voltage;and ii) monitor a charging current and provide an indication if thecurrent exceeds the maximum charging current limit.